Feminism is not male bashing, but respecting women, says actor Nadiya Moidu. “There are men who are feminists. My husband is a feminist because he supports my well-being and helps me pursue what I enjoy. It’s about living with self-respect. Parents must be proud to have girl children,” says the mother of two girls.
And, that is why she feels there should be more powerful female characters in films. And, if the Tamil audience of the 80s could accept her Poove Poochudava character, a bubbly tom-boyish girl waiting to die, the contemporary audience can do the same. “I don’t buy the theory that the audience is not ready for strong female characters. They are ready to change. We need scripts that project them not as just mothers and girl friends. We have a life beyond that.” The actress was in Coimbatore to launch Naturals Ayur, a salon and wellness centre.
Ten minutes into our conversation, Nadia’s phone rings. It’s her daughter. “Hi monu...You are all okay? All well at home?” It is difficult to believe that I am talking to a celebrity. But, Nadiya has always been this casual, girl-next door. She has always made us feel like we were a part of her family.
That’s because she was not chasing any titles or stardom. “I had a life beyond cinema. I do not look at myself as a movie star. It was just a nine to five job for me,” she insists. Perhaps it was this attitude that made it easy for her to leave the industry when she was at her peak. “I was madly in love! I was in a long distance relationship with my husband.” The young couple moved to the U.S.A to build a new life.
Her life took an academic twist after that. “I joined a college for an associate degree course in communication and arts. I worked really hard for two years. I must give due credit to my investment banker husband, who helped me with typing and editing. The course helped me know the American system better and I became more independent.”
Nadiya was just 18 when she debuted in Fazil’s Nokketha Doorathu Kannum Nattu . Malayalam cinema had not seen such a cosmopolitan heroine till then. “I was from Mumbai. I was the new kid on the block. The film was personal for me because Fazil uncle was a family friend. There were times I would find it hard to rehearse the lines. I would say, ‘Fazil uncle, I can't do this anymore.’”
But the movie turned out to be a huge hit and Nadiya became a rage. Who can forget the magic kannadi scene, which became iconic in Malayalam cinema? Nadiya tricks Mohanlal, who plays a smug, flirtatious college boy, into believing that she can see through clothes when she wears her magic goggles. He is terrified and shoos her out of the house. The two actors were spectacular in the scene. “That was hilarious, wasn’t it? One of the most beautiful written scenes ever! She was such a smart character.” In the Tamil remake, Fazil improvised the role further. It was a night scene, and Nadiya’s character is leaving the house. “There was a scary looking man standing behind the trees. So Fazil uncle incorporated a scene to add more masti. The creepy man approaches me. The audience thinks he is trouble. But all he does is ask me for a beedi. And my character coolly responds, ‘athu ellam naan eppovo vittuttein’ (I quit smoking a long time ago).”
Nadiya feels very strongly about better roles for women over 40. “We need to break the stereotypes. Women over 40, who live without inhibitions, must be shown on screen. I know many who are enjoying their life, partying with their friends and going on holidays. Why don’t we have stories about their mid-life crises, first loves, and relationships? Women will relate to such stories.” Television is also not her cup of tea. “I don’t want that kind of an over-exposure. I will get bored watching myself everyday,” she laughs.
After her long hiatus from the industry, Nadiya returned in 2004 with M Kumaran, Son of Mahalakshmi . She had to juggle between looking after her children in London and rehearsing her lines. Her next project is a Telugu film called A Aa , directed by Trivikram Srinivas.
Nadiya is in no rush to get into Tamil cinema. She says she is waiting for a role that excites her enough to take up the challenge of balancing cinema and her family. It is 10 p.m. by the time we wind up the interview. Nadiya has posed patiently with her female fans and signed a million autographs. She has not had her dinner, but she is still all smiles. Is she always this pleasant? “I can be pretty volatile. People who do not keep their time and respect other human beings make me angry. But I also cool down fast.”
When asked about how she has maintained herself so well, Nadiya responds with a not-this-question-again look. “I have a magic potion,” she winks. Then she gets serious and says, “I think it comes from a sense of gratitude for my blessings. I always tell my daughters that people will be jealous of you. But, don’t be bitter and stoop to their level. Just step back and think about what you have which they don’t. Just stay positive.You will feel the balance and a sense of well-being.”
